President-elect Trump delivered his first rally-styled speech since his decisive win over Vice President Kamala Harris, estimating that his administration would be “fully operational” by 2:00 on Jan. 20. He took the stage at AmericaFest in Phoenix, a four-day event billed as part of the “biggest conservative movement in the country,” where he discussed his electoral win, his upcoming administration, and the accomplishments of his first term. Trump boasted about having the greatest economy in history during his first term and pledged to continue doing things that “nobody could have done.”
During his speech, Trump called for the Panama Canal to be returned to the United States, emphasizing the importance of a secure canal for U.S. commerce and naval deployment. He also outlined plans for his upcoming administration, including conducting the “largest deportation operation in American history” and rolling out an advertising campaign to highlight the dangers of drug use, particularly fentanyl. Additionally, Trump expressed his commitment to securing the northern border and cracking down on illegal immigration from both Canada and Mexico.
Following Congress’s avoidance of a government shutdown, Trump called on Republicans to suspend the debt limit during negotiations, but the final bill did not include this provision. Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the bill, which passed early Saturday morning, and reaffirmed his support for former Fox News host Pete Hegseth as his secretary of defense in the upcoming administration. Hegseth, who has faced allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking, denied the accusations and vowed not to consume alcohol if confirmed.
In his speech, Trump also praised his other Cabinet picks, including Pam Bondi as attorney general and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. He reiterated his promises to unleash the energy industry, remove “woke” policies from schools and the military, and take actions on day one to end Biden-era restrictions on energy production, cancel the electric vehicle mandate, and reopen ANWR in Alaska. Additionally, he vowed to address issues like child sexual mutilation, transgender inclusion, and men in women’s sports.
AmericaFest, the annual event where Trump delivered his speech, kicked off in Phoenix on Dec. 19 and concluded with the president’s address. The event, organized by Turning Point USA, aims to reenergize conservative students and voters while celebrating America. Trump’s appearance at the event was highly anticipated, with over 21,000 tickets sold for the convention. Turning Point chief Charlie Kirk expressed his honor at having President Trump deliver his first rally-style speech since the election at AmericaFest and highlighted the significance of the event in energizing the conservative movement.
